In a groundbreaking move, the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) has officially approved girls’ flag football as an “emerging sport” in the state. This milestone announcement marks the first step toward fully sanctioning the sport in Indiana’s high schools.
The driving force behind this initiative is the Indianapolis Colts, who have been instrumental in promoting girls’ flag football. Earlier this year, the Colts launched the “Road To 100” initiative, aiming to support and sustain the launch of 100 high school girls’ flag football teams in Indiana by 2025. As of now, 65 schools have already committed to participating, a significant step toward achieving this goal.
The Colts’ involvement began in 2023 with the creation of the Colts Girls High School Flag Football League, which initially included eight teams from Indianapolis and South Bend. The league saw rapid expansion in 2024, growing to 27 teams, which qualified it for consideration as an emerging sport.
Kalen Jackson, Colts Vice Chair and Owner, expressed enthusiasm about the growth of girls’ flag football. “The growth of girls flag football has accelerated greatly over the past few years, from little league to high school to all the way to the 2028 Olympics,” Jackson said. “We’re grateful to the IHSAA for continuing this momentum and opening more opportunities for girls and women athletes across Indiana.”
To become a fully sanctioned sport, 100 schools must participate while the sport is in emerging status. With 65 schools already on board, the momentum is strong, and the future looks bright for girls’ flag football in Indiana.
This development not only expands athletic opportunities for female students but also aligns with the broader trend of increasing participation in girls’ sports. As girls’ flag football continues to grow, it is likely to inspire more young athletes to take up the sport, fostering a new generation of talented and dedicated players.
The approval by the IHSAA is a significant victory for the Colts and for girls’ sports in Indiana, paving the way for what could become a thriving and competitive league in the years to come.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
